Apollo 11 Lunar Module & CSM - Metal Earth
Discussion
I’ve wanted to try one of these Metal Earth models for a while, and when I saw this one I had to give it a go. I love the whole Apollo mission stuff, and after watching the recent film at the cinema, bought this:
This is a nice touch:
It’s basically photo-etched metal, assembled by bending and secured with tabs which you bend or twist with pliers. Instructions aren’t fantastic, and the fit of some of the parts isn’t great, but it’s pretty straightforward compared with adding photo-etch to a 1:72 aircraft kit.
Some people use cyano on the joints, but I’m using PVA, since it’s easy to remove if you mess up, and acts as an unobtrusive gap filler:
The use of gold and silver metal really enhances the look of the Lunar Module, and despite a few out of scale features, it looks very nice all things considered. Here’s progress after around 3 hours:
This is a nice touch:
It’s basically photo-etched metal, assembled by bending and secured with tabs which you bend or twist with pliers. Instructions aren’t fantastic, and the fit of some of the parts isn’t great, but it’s pretty straightforward compared with adding photo-etch to a 1:72 aircraft kit.
Some people use cyano on the joints, but I’m using PVA, since it’s easy to remove if you mess up, and acts as an unobtrusive gap filler:
The use of gold and silver metal really enhances the look of the Lunar Module, and despite a few out of scale features, it looks very nice all things considered. Here’s progress after around 3 hours:
MrAndyW said:
dr-gn. How fiddly is it. Looks really good in metal. Got big hands. So I’m assuming tweezers is a must or did you manage without ?
It was quite fiddly. Even though I’m used to using small scale photo-etch, getting the bends right (or as right as I could) was a bit tricky. The hardest parts were the small conical vernier thrusters. They are scored to make bending easier, but even so...Tweezers aren’t much use because they’re not stiff or grippy enough for the metal. I used a selection of small pliers for bending and fitting parts, the larger of which I modified by grinding the tips down. Flat faced pliers are good for bending and straightening parts. You’ll also need some Xuron cutters for removing the parts from their frets:
This might give a better indication of scale:
MrAndyW said:
Thanks. It does look fantastic in metal. Looks like something else to add to my moon stuff??
It’s not bad to build - with model kit p/e there’s usually a lot of fettling and modifying to fit - this is way easier overall, but it just takes time. This one took me about 5 hours.Echo66 said:
Back in the day there was a paper & card model of the CSM & LM that was pretty good for the time. I can't remember who did it but I can remember making it over a few weeks with my old man helping me. It was in my folks loft for about 30 years.
I think this one is pretty new, it’s in my list to build:https://www.geek.com/geek-cetera/build-this-incred...
Just starting my build of this kit. I have realised two things in relatively quick succession:
1) my eyesight is very much not what it used to be - had to take my contact lenses out and do lots of glasses juggling!
2) it’s quite hard to separate little bits of model from my fingers if super glue is used...
Will switch to PVA - is there any particular kind that works well for this sort of thing? Or will any do?
What do others use by way of magnification? Something fixed? Or something wearable perhaps?
I can only hope my efforts are anywhere near those of the good Dr...
1) my eyesight is very much not what it used to be - had to take my contact lenses out and do lots of glasses juggling!
2) it’s quite hard to separate little bits of model from my fingers if super glue is used...
Will switch to PVA - is there any particular kind that works well for this sort of thing? Or will any do?
What do others use by way of magnification? Something fixed? Or something wearable perhaps?
I can only hope my efforts are anywhere near those of the good Dr...
Any PVA should be OK. I wicked it inside completed joints with a cocktail stick, so it formed a fillet (and an unobtrusive gap filler).
I used 3x magnifying glasses for the first time last week, when working on tiny turned parts. They’re not perfect because I found the focus point too near, but they were useful. I think the type that has a magnifying lens held on a clip some way in front of the eyes would be better.
I used 3x magnifying glasses for the first time last week, when working on tiny turned parts. They’re not perfect because I found the focus point too near, but they were useful. I think the type that has a magnifying lens held on a clip some way in front of the eyes would be better.
I have some parallel side cutters I normally use for the plastic sprues but think I might look into some of them.
I can see the issue with my cutters in that the edges coming together will distort as they pinch to cut, looking at the Xuron, scissor action ones?
My cutters are sharp but the pinch to cut action I fear will damage this kit.
I can see the issue with my cutters in that the edges coming together will distort as they pinch to cut, looking at the Xuron, scissor action ones?
My cutters are sharp but the pinch to cut action I fear will damage this kit.
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